The growth of detergents and cleaners in Japan and other countries was interrupted by the oil crises in 1975 and 1980, as presented in the trends over the past 15 years. Total production of heavy duty powders and liquids, dishwashing liquids, and liquid cleaners in 1985 left bracket 968,000 metric tons (MT) right bracket shows recovery from the two recessions. However, the growth rate of production decreased, crisis by crisis, due mainly to the declining growth rate of heavy duty powders, namely 10. 6% between 1976 and 1979 and 3. 8% between 1981 and 1985. The rate may approach 0. 7% of the average annual population growth for this decade.